Winterfest Health Practices

How We Keep Campers & Staff Healthy

Updated on December 11, 2023.
Please know that an inherent risk of exposure to contagious illnesses exists in any public place where people are present.

Safety is A Top Priority

As parents, we want you to understand the rigorous efforts Pine Cove has always taken toward protecting the health of your child. Since 1967, Pine Cove has existed to be used by God to transform the lives of people for His purposes and His glory. This purpose is no different today.

Please know that an inherent risk of exposure to contagious illnesses exists in any public place where people are present. Therefore, parents should use their best judgment regarding sending their child to camp taking into consideration any upcoming travel plans or gatherings scheduled the week following camp.

We will update this page as we update our medical policies.

Licensed Staff

Our Medical Team

Our talented medical team provides high-level, experienced medical care with a focus on serving campers and staff who need medical attention during the weekend and administering essential medications.

Camp Medical Facilities

On-Site Medical Care

Every youth camp’s health center is staffed with a screened and experienced RN on site 24/7. We can also provide quick access to other medical services as needed.

Medication

How to Pack Meds

Questions? Find even more answers in our in-depth guide to medication.

All Meds to Nurse

State law mandates that all medication (prescription and OTC) is kept in the health center, so please do not pack them in suitcases and trunks.

Original Containers

All prescription medications must be in their original containers with current dosage instructions. Pill bottles should only include the amount needed for the session—leave the rest at home! Creams, inhalers, or other boxed items must have a label on them.

Up-to-Date

All medication must be prescribed to the camper. Check the expiration date – all meds must be current!

Leave OTC meds & vitamins home

Save the space! We stock plenty of over-the-counter meds for occasional as needed use. If your camper takes a daily allergy med, please check it in at drop-off.

In the Know

Before & During Winterfest

Parents should monitor the health of their children and not send them to camp if they exhibit any symptoms of contagious illness.
Campers always have the option to opt out of an activity if they are not comfortable.
Pine Cove will isolate and send home any camper exhibiting symptoms of a contagious illness.
For any communication from our medical staff you will receive a text with information about a forthcoming call, then a phone call.

Preventing contamination

Cleaning & Disinfecting

We have multiple layers of cleaning and disinfecting policies and procedures with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to instill cleanliness standards for campers and staff, as well as thorough sanitization of cabins, camp buildings, restrooms, high-touch surfaces, and more.

Read Our Sanitization Procedures

Cleaning & Disinfecting

Staff and campers are trained on how to properly sanitize, wash hands, and how to monitor campers to prevent behaviors that spread illness.
Deep cleaning of cabins prior to campers arrival.
Pine Cove uses HVAC UV lights in major Pine Cove buildings, which has been shown to mitigate the spread of microorganisms.
Daily kitchen and dining hall protocols will include continued use of dish machines that use multiple agents to clean and sanitize dishes within a high temperature cycle.

Hydrate & Sanitize

Make Sanitizing Accessible - and Fun!

Hand sanitizer is available at every meal table and passed around to each camper as part of a sanitize cheer. We also have hand sanitizer in each building, including cabins, and at our activity class locations. Sanitizing our hands (and staying hydrated!) have always been important parts of our camp culture. Check out this fun video that the Pine Cove Ranch made to remind our campers and staff how important it is to be hydrated and sanitized—and to have fun while doing it!

Watch Now

Required Cleanliness Practices

Rigorous Handwashing

Here’s how we get all campers to wash their hands thoroughly and for the recommended twenty seconds.

Take It Seriously

We take handwashing seriously as the number one recommendation from the CDC for infection control.

Part of Our Program

Dining halls have handwashing stations right outside the door and all youth and day campers wash hands before meals.

Make It Fun

Staff are doing cheers, singing songs, and monitoring to make sure all campers wash their hands long enough and thoroughly.

Learn more about staff and safety at camp!

Worry-Free